Elizabeth noticed several eyebrows rise at this announcement. “Hamilton, Goldsmith, and I will be setting out shortly with a few of my men to facilitate their move to Pemberley while Georgiana works with the staff to prepare for them.”

“You are to bring your tenants here?” asked Rosalyn in disbelief.

Darcy slowly turned to her, taking in a deep breath before answering. “Yes, there is no other alternative. It is only until the rains cease and the threat of flooding is over.”

“But surely there is something else that can be done,” Mrs. Willstone lamented. “These are merely common folk, are they not? Can you trust them walking these halls?” She gave a nervous laugh.

Mr. Darcy’s jaw tightened, and he spoke with more than a little agitation. “These are my tenants, Mrs. Willstone, and I cannot and will not allow them to risk their lives because I fear some menace from them. They will be in the north wing, and you will likely not even see them. There is no reason for concern.”

He reached down and picked up his cup, quickly downing its contents. “We will likely be gone for most of the day. As my sister will be otherwise occupied assisting Mrs. Reynolds and the servants in readying the wing and welcoming these guests, I invite you to spend today at your leisure. You may enjoy everything that Pemberley has to offer.”

He looked down at his sister. “You will do fine, Georgie,” he said reassuringly. “Mrs. Reynolds has done this on more than one occasion.” He turned to his friend and cousin. “Come. There is much to do before we leave.”

Everyone slowly rose from the table, and the three men briskly stepped from the room. Miss Darcy left immediately to find Mrs. Reynolds. The Willstones and Rosalyn huddled together, conversing in hushed tones about this unfortunate arrangement. Elizabeth and Miss Bartley decided that for the duration of the morning, they would allow the three girls to play together.

Once in the playroom, Emily and her friends cheerfully found all kinds of amusements with which to entertain themselves. Elizabeth inquired of Miss Bartley if she would mind keeping watch on Emily while she retrieved something from her room. Elizabeth wanted to get the book of Cowper’s poems and do some further reading. Miss Bartley told her she would gladly watch Emily as long as she needed.

When Elizabeth walked out, she heard voices coming from the entry hall. She stopped suddenly when she recognized Rosalyn’s agonized voice.

“Mr. Darcy, you said yourself that travel is treacherous. Heavens! An accident may have already befallen someone! It is far too great a risk for you to go yourself! You are Master of this place and surely have more than enough servants who ought to be the ones to take care of something like this.”

“I appreciate your concern, Miss Matthews, but it is I who must go.”

“But, sir, there is flooding everywhere.” Rosalyn’s brow furrowed in concern. “Your tenants will be just as grateful and appreciative if you send someone else; you could easily send several servants to give them the assistance they require.”

Elizabeth quietly stepped into the hall. Darcy looked up at her, exasperation and exhaustion etched in his features.

Looking back down at Rosalyn, he said, “While that may be true, my presence will speak more to them of my concern and give them more reassurance than any of my servants would give.”

“But certainly…”

Elizabeth came alongside her and gently placed her hand on Miss Matthews’s arm, giving it a soft squeeze. “We understand your concern for your tenants. Please be careful out there, Mr. Darcy.”

His eyes met hers, and he let out a soft sigh. “Thank you, Miss Bennet. I shall make every endeavour to keep life and limb—my own and those of my tenants—safe.” With a quick bow, he quickly turned to the door and stepped out.

Rosalyn let out a soft huff, but before she could express her frustration to Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy’s cousin and friend approached. Noticing the two young ladies, Mr. Hamilton looked at them with a playful smile. “Has old man Noah come this way yet?”

Rosalyn narrowed her eyes at him. “Who?”

Elizabeth chuckled. “He means Mr. Darcy, I believe, who is going to lead his tenants two by two into the ark—Pemberley—to save them from the flood!”

Mr. Hamilton acknowledged her with a nod of his head. “You know your Bible stories, Miss Bennet.”

“Yes,” she replied. “Noah—Mr. Darcy—just stepped out.”

With the briefest of bows, the two men then left.

“I know the story of Noah’s Ark,” Rosalyn protested, her arms folded tightly in front of her. “I just did not know what he was talking about.”

Elizabeth sighed softly. “Mr. Hamilton is one who enjoys making light of even a difficult situation.”

“Whereas Mr. Darcy can be so very serious.” Rosalyn let out a mournful sigh. “And so very stubborn!”

“About certain things I am sure he is.”

“I do not understand what is taking him so long to give me assurances of his affection. He has certainly had sufficient opportunity. Goodness, we only have two weeks here. What is he waiting for? Certainly he cannot doubt my regard for him and my devotion to his sister.”

“Roslyn, he is his own master as well as Pemberley’s Master. If that is his design, he will do it in his own time.”

“Well, I am getting quite impatient with the man.”

Elizabeth suddenly had an image in her mind of Caroline Bingley and wondered if this was what always happened to a woman who pursued a man like Mr. Darcy. She could only hope it would not happen to her!

The two ladies each went their own separate ways. Elizabeth retrieved her book of Cowper’s poems, bringing it back to the playroom. She looked forward to reading more of this great poet’s verse.

Throughout the morning, Elizabeth stepped out from the playroom and looked down the hall. They were just down from the north wing, where the tenants were going to be housed. On several occasions she saw servants going through the large door that cordoned off that wing, carrying linens and supplies for the tenants who would be coming.

Elizabeth wondered how Miss Darcy was faring in the midst of this. On one of those occasions when she stepped out, she encountered the young girl herself, dissolved in a pool of tears.

“Miss Darcy!” Elizabeth rushed over to her and put her arm about her. “What has happened? What is wrong?”

Miss Darcy shook her head, unable to say anything.

“May I help you with something?” Elizabeth asked.

Miss Darcy took several deep breaths and finally, in a whimpering voice, said, “I am trying to do my best, and I am making every attempt to like her for my brother’s sake, but she is questioning everything I do.”

“Who is?” asked Elizabeth.

Miss Darcy wiped her eyes. “I know she is only trying to help me, but I think I know what is best!”

Elizabeth shook her head in confusion. “Are you speaking of Mrs. Willstone?”

Miss Darcy waved her hand in the air. “No, no. It is Miss Matthews. I just came from the sitting room upstairs, telling her all that I… we… have done.” A look of pained distress filled her eyes. “I am sorry. I should not have said anything.”

Elizabeth closed her eyes in compassion at what the young girl must have experienced. Not only had Rosalyn challenged Mr. Darcy’s decision to go himself to assist his tenants, she now had distressed his sister. “Miss Darcy, you know Pemberley and you know your tenants. Miss Matthews may be trying to be of assistance, but you must do what you believe is right.”

After a few shaky breaths, Miss Darcy said, “I confess that I have a difficult time saying no to people. When Miss Matthews tells me what she thinks I ought to do, even though I know it is not prudent, I still cannot say no to her.”

“Perhaps,” Elizabeth gently suggested, “you can merely thank Miss Matthews for any advice she offers and tell her that you will consider it. Then you may proceed in any manner you deem best. That way you do not have to actually say no to her.”

Miss Darcy looked up at Elizabeth and said very softly, “That is very sound advice. Thank you.” She wiped her eyes with her handkerchief. “Many times I feel as though I will hurt someone’s feelings if I say no. I once found myself in a very… perilous situation because I could not say no.”

Elizabeth’s heart lurched in understanding, more than the young girl could even comprehend. She knew Miss Darcy likely was referring to the time she came so very close to eloping with George Wickham.

Elizabeth wrapped an arm about Miss Darcy’s shoulders with tender affection. “We all learn from our mistakes, do we not? And hopefully our weaknesses will develop into positive strengths.”

That prompted an appreciative smile from Miss Darcy.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Elizabeth asked. She then laughed as she added, “And I promise not to give you any unwanted advice.”

“You are very kind, Miss Bennet. I know that Mrs. Reynolds is working with our staff to address their physical needs, but many of these tenants are emotionally weary. Mrs. Goldsmith is down there now, but would you…” She paused and nervously fingered the handkerchief she held, casting her eyes down. She then looked up and continued, “Would you be able to visit with some of our tenants later this afternoon?”

Elizabeth’s eyes lit up. “I would be most happy to. I will come down when Emily is napping later today.”

“Thank you. I think you would be a good listener,” Miss Darcy replied.

“I will do what I can,” Elizabeth assured her.

Elizabeth began to walk away, but she stopped and turned to the girl. “To own the truth, Miss Darcy, I suffer from something very similar to what you have shared with me, although it is actually quite the opposite. You see, I have a tendency to say no to people far too readily, even when a yes would have been much more sensible and in my best interest.” With a smile she added, “Perhaps we can learn from each other and find the perfect balance!”